The okra yield per acre in Nigeria is 2 – 10 tons per acre depending on the agricultural practices implemented by the okro farmer.
Harvested okras are packed in cane baskets and taken to the open market to sell Harvested okra can also be sold in kilograms to the organized markets like hotels and high end supermarkets.
All okro farmers strive to get high yields from their okra farms. The yield of the okra farm largely influences the profitability of the farm.
Factors that impact okro yield in Nigeria
The following factors impact the yield of okro in Nigeria:
- Variety of Okra Seeds Planted
- The fertility of the soil
- The type of fertilizers used
- The intensity of pests and diseases
- The quality of pesticides used
- Climatic conditions
- Availability of labour
- Weeds
1) Variety of Okra Seeds Planted
The variety of okra seeds planted can impact the yield of your okra plants. Hybrid okra seeds are known to have higher yields than open pollinated okra seeds.
Hybrid okra seeds also resist pests and diseases better than the open pollinated okra seeds.
2) The fertility of the soil
The fertility of the soil can impact the yield of your okro plants. If your soil is rich in nutrients, you are likely to record a high yield from your okro farm. If your soil is lacking in nutrients, the yield of your okro plants may be low.
You can amend the fertility of your soil by adding manure, compost and fertilizers.
3) The type of fertilizers used
The type of fertilizers used for okro farming can also impact the yield of the okra farm. Good fertilizers like NPK fertilizer, calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate, humates and chelates should be used for your okra plants.
You should do a soil test before you apply any fertilizers on your okra plants. An agronomist can help you to interpret the soil test result and prepare a fertilizer application schedule for you.
4) The intensity of pests and diseases
The intensity of pests and diseases can also impact the level of yield of your okra plants. If the level of pests and diseases on your okra farm is high, the okra plants may not do well, this can lead to lesser yield.
Pesticides should be used to manage pests and diseases on your okro farm. Some cultural practices can also be implemented to reduce the incidences of pests and diseases on your okro farm.
5) The quality of pesticides used
A lot of pesticides used in Nigeria are of poor quality. This has made the use of pesticides for okra farms challenging. If you use low quality pesticides on your okra farm, you may record a low yield.
You should only buy your pesticides from accredited dealers.
6) Climatic condition
Okra has a higher risk of getting diseases in hot tropical areas like Nigeria. This can have negative effects on the yield.
7) Availability of labour
If you do not have enough farm hands or labour, you will not be able to adequately weed your farm. You may not also be able to harvest your okras on time. These problems can significantly reduce the yield of okro plants.
8) Weeds
Weeds can reduce the yield of okra by almost 100%. Weeds can make you record zero yields from your okra farm.
Herbicides and good weeding culture can be used to address the problem of weeds.
Do you grow okra in Nigeria? If yes, why not share with us your okra yield per acre in the comments’ section.